-
Compressor Removing Frames from My Footage
Based on a previous thread here, it was strongly suggested that I use Compressor instead of QuickTime Conversion to export my movies from FCP.
While the Compressor export looks great, I am finding that Compressor keeps removing the last few frames from my film.
As a test, I created a new sequence (I am working in DVCPRO HD 720p) and I dropped in a 10 second slug.
I then select export to Compressor. In the A/V Attributes Compressor correctly reports the file as 10 seconds long with a Frame Rate of 23.976
However, when I look at the encoding for the file in the inspector and the third tab (Frame Controls) I can see that the length now says 9 seconds and 22 frames. The last 2 frames are gone. The longer the file I export the more frames are missing at the end.
Does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this and better yet, how to fix it?
-
12 Replies
-
What format are you using to compress to in Compressor?
If you want a file with no loss, just export a QT movie which is self contained from FCP… That’s the cleanest file you can export.
Jerry
-
The problem is not the quality of the export.
The problem is compressor is not exporting all of the frames. It is removing a few at the end of the file.
I think it is a problem with Compressor and DCPro HD footage and the 23.976 Frame Rate, but I have no idea how to fix it.
-
Double check to make sure that the compressor presets match the footage presets exactly. If that means manually typing in 23.976 in the frame rate field (instead of 23.98) then try that as a test as well.
David
-
David,
I wish I could, but unless I am missing something, there is no place to type in the frame rate.
On the frame controls tab, the are three choices for Set Duration to:
1. % of source (I have it set to 100% – and yet it reports the time as 9 seconds and 22 frames)
2. A drop down with a list of frame conversion rates, but none of these match my time
3. A check box that says “source frames play at 23.98 FPS”
This makes me wonder if the problem is the minute difference between 23.976 and 23.98. And if it is is compressor detecting my frame rate incorrectly. And if so, how do I fix that?
-
Try to compare the number of actual frames like 42347 vs. 42345.
I think you might be looking at QT tc vs. FCP tc.
what are the actual number of frames. You can view both files in FCP.
There is really no difference between 23.98 and 23.976 contrary to popular belief.
David.
PS; haw does loosing these two frames matter?
Please also make sure you are view NON DROP FRAME tc in both sources.
-
[Chris Messineo] ” I created a new sequence (I am working in DVCPRO HD 720p)”
Are you editing DVCPRO HD 720p and exporting DVCPRO HD 720p?
If so why don’t you export from FC? Unless you are are changing format or making a DVD or clip for the web, there is not benefit using Compressor over FC. QT conversion is something to be avoided. Apart of that, FC is the only way to export with a real TC track .
RafaelPPC G5 2x2Gh 4GbRAM/BlackMagic SD/PMBP 17″Core2Duo 4GbRAM
JVC DTV-17″/FCS2/AE CS3/COMBUSTION/SHAKE -
You asked how losing these frames matter.
My film ends with credits that scroll from the top to the bottom.
However, since the film is 5 minutes long, I am losing over a second of film time. This means the film ends with the credits not scrolled off the screen.
You see, I am only losing 2 frames in my 10 second example. In reality, over a longer film, this is a major problem.
These are real frames that are not appearing in the final export.
I saw in a post further down on this page, that someone else was having trouble with compressor and DVCProHD footage. They said they found a workaround using cinema tools, but I know nothing about cinema tools and I don’t understand the workaround. 🙁
-
Yes, the format is DVCPro HD 720p in my sequence as well as in Compressor.
I am using compressor because I need to shrink the size of the clip (both width and height as well as physical size) so I can place it on the web.
-
If I would be having your problems, first I would export a master in DVCPro from FC and I would make sure that it have all the frames. Then I would use Compressor.
RafaelPPC G5 2x2Gh 4GbRAM/BlackMagic SD/PMBP 17″Core2Duo 4GbRAM
JVC DTV-17″/FCS2/AE CS3/COMBUSTION/SHAKE -
I just did an export using QuickTime movie.
I then brought that file into Compressor and that worked.
So that gives me a workaround. Thanks for that.
It’s just frustrating that it doesn’t work as it is supposed to and that I need to create this intermediate file.
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up